In my last post, I didn't address the problems I had fitting Shimano (really, Shimano-style) cogs on the S3X. I had some difficulty getting the cheap BMX cogs on the hub splines. It took a bit of filing and fiddling to get the 15T cog on. This is not to say that the cogs are poorly made. Apparently, Shimano style cogs are not exactly the same pattern as the SA cogs, which is a bit bizarre, since they're ALMOST exactly the same. The cogs I bought are FMF BMX cogs, which are made to fit Shimano drivers, and really do fit easily over the Shimano splines. The Harris Cyclery site mentions this slight incompatibility and recommends Surly cogs for the S3X. Why they fit better, I don't know, as they are made to be compatible with Shimano drivers. Obviously, the SA cogs will fit perfectly, but they are for 1/8" chain. I run a 3/32" chain, not 1/8".
Speaking of cogs and fitting the S3X, it's pretty cool that they threaded the driver all the way across. This apparently allows for screwing a single-speed freewheel on the S3X, which is somewhat interesting as an option. I doubt anyone would choose the S3X for a full-time freewheel application when the SA 3 speed freewheel hub is a lot cheaper. Having the versatility of easily converting a wheel to a freewheel then back to fixed is not new, of course. Flip-flop hubs are all over the place. But, the S3X has the same versatility of accepting a freewheel, plus it's got 3 speeds. It's intriguing.....
Before you flame me (ala Chalo) for even contemplating the crazy-ass idea of using a single speed freewheel on the S3X, consider the possibility that diverse ways of thinking make life interesting. I've already accepted the multi-speed fixed gear into my biking life (and so have you, unless you're just lurking on this site to shake your head in wonderment that such fools exist). This proves I'm not a purist. The S3X on its own is a huge leap into the bizarre and the stoopid, in the minds of some of our biking brethren. It's not much farther to go to fall into the sublimely ridiculous, like, ummm.....say, recumbent bikes. But no, thinking of trying a freewheel doesn't mean I'm thinking of a freewheel equipped S3X mounted on a canvas bodied recumbent trike. But, what if I was?
Were?
It's all good. But, really, I'm not.
I'm just thinking, well, century. Or some longish ride where being able to coast would be, like, restful? Or somewhere with extreme downhill sections? That'd mean a rear brake and all, I know. Maybe one of those suicide brake levers and a long cable ziptied to the frame for the day would work out, huh? Easy on, easy off.
It's just a thought.
Don't be hatin'.
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so recumbents are ridiculous ......maybe thats why they banned them from racing.....umm no, they banned them from racing because they are faster than ass hatchet bikes. Norm rdsnorman@cox.net
ReplyDeleteNorm,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments.
Actually, I don't think recumbents are ridiculous. I believe that any variation or innovation or interest in something different is to be applauded, not reviled. I was being facetious. I dislike the attitude often directed at those of us who want to try something a bit unorthodox. That was my point.
Have you ever seen a fixed gear recumbent?
Vance
I have also thought about using a freewheel on the S3X - mostly in the context of contemplated hill-riding, where being able to coast down would be useful. My thinking is almost exactly like yours, really; temporary conversion for a day or two, then back to the regular gearing.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of centuries - I'm planning to do one on my S3X bike at the end of September. I think it'll go pretty well, though I will lower the gearing a little. I'll report back afterwords, anyway.
dtwright,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments.
It is nice to know there are folks out there experimenting with this hub. This is what I was hoping for when I started this blog.
I would also put a larger cog on for a century, whether or not it was a freewheel. A couple of the hills here can be just too much for the gear inches I'm running as the best over-all compromise for the area. For me, anyway.
Let us know how it goes!
Vance
I'm contemplating the s3x with a freewheel for cross racing on my Singlecross. Is that nuts??? I figured it might be a viable and versatile option as I also ride this bike fixed and commute with it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, stickboy. Would it hold up under that kind of rigorous use?
ReplyDeleteIt MIGHT be nuts. But, it's an interesting idea.
I can't help but worry about slipping out of gear into a false neutral and going over the bars.
Please keep us posted.
Vance
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31206465@N04/3216658496/in/set-72157618148889818/ is the link to my recumbent fixed gear. Love the ride of fixies. Your blog has quelled my desire to get an S3X. The lash is what I think would be too bothersome. I'll just choose my routes carefully, to keep the slopes manageable with the 1 speed. By the way, Bikes Direct dot com has a complete bike with horizontal rear facing drop outs with an S3X for $380 shipped, only $80 more than the wheelset alone! Ride On!
ReplyDeleteThanks, anony.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting bike, to say the least. It would be even more interesting with an S3X on it. As to the lash thing, I don't even notice it any more.
It's annoying to me that Bikesdirect.com doesn't offer the fixed S3X in a 63-64 cm version. The frame is available in those sizes on others of their fixed variations. WTF?
Thanks for the comments!
Actually the freewheel makes perfect sense. You can now have a 3 speed hub with the direct drive on the highest gear, where it counts!
ReplyDeleteTrue...
ReplyDeleteI still haven't tried it, but probably will sometime.
Thanks for the comments!
An S3X with a freewheel could give me the lower (160%) gear range I've been looking for in a 3-speed. I can't find any other 3-speed hubs with a range lower than 175%. There are only weak hills where I live, so I've been reluctant to build a 3-speed, worried I'd end up just using the same speed all the time.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much stay in the top gear, as I have mentioned. If there weren't hills (mountains) around here, the S3X wouldn't be of much use. I find it quite comfortable climbing middling rises w/o using a lower gear and that's with 50/15.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments!
Thanks for the quick reply! I currently ride a derailer bike, on which I use about three gears. I should have mentioned the main reason I like to shift gears out of my usual 48/15: the wind. We have 30-35 mph winds here today--combine that with a bit of an incline and I am basically useless if I can't shift down :\
ReplyDeleteSo I'm still probably gonna try the S3X with a freewheel. I'll post here again if/when I get it finished.
We get some stiff winds here, too. I don't mean to say that a 3 speed isn't nice to have for lots of reasons....
ReplyDeleteVance
I have a commuter bike with the S3x, and I'm curious how to switch it from the fixed gearing to free-wheel?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Hi Fry,
ReplyDeleteThe hub is treaded all the way across, so you'd just remove the lock-ring, slide off the cog, and screw on the freewheel. Maybe someone else can chime in, but I'd say installing a lock-ring on the freewheel is unnecessary since there's no significant unscrewing force during coasting. It's pretty simple. Just be careful with the lock-ring if it's the one you should use a ball wrench on, and you don't have one.
Vance
OK, another modest proposal...
ReplyDeleteIt's threaded all the way across - Can you thread a multispeed freewheel onto a S3X hub and fit a rear derailleur - hybrid gearing? Might be nice in the city for quick shifting when stopped.
I don't see any overwhelming problems with doing that. It should work fine.
ReplyDeleteVance
Hi Fry,
ReplyDeleteCan you recommend a freewheel cog that fits on the S3X hub? I noticed the hub diameter is a little larger than most freewheel cogs I've seen.
Hi Anony,
DeleteAs far as I know, the standard freewheel screws right on the s3x, jam up and jelly tight. I'm not sure what kind of freewheel cogs you've run into....
Hi Vance,
ReplyDeleteJust bought a Shimano (SF-MX30) 16T freewheel cog. Threaded it on but unfortunately it sticks out too far and the cog rubs against the frame. It doesn't thread all the way across the drive. If you want I can take a pic send it to you. I just sent an email to Sturmey for recommendations on a freewheel cog.
Vic
I think I get it. It isn't screwing down the threads all the way. Can you see threads between the cog and the dust cover on the hub?
ReplyDeleteI'd try running a steel lock-ring down the hub to make sure they're clean and undamaged all the way in. If the ring won't go all the way to the dust cover, then your cog can't either.
You should easily be able fit the freewheel on the hub and have it clear the frame, if it's threaded all the way on.
Send me a picture if that isn't the problem. I'll post it and we'll get opinions.
Vance
Hi Vic,
ReplyDeleteIf you have some kind of photo hosting account, put a link to the pics on it so we can see what you're up against. I'll put them up on a new post and we'll figure it out.
I don't see how to PM or repy via email without publishing my email account, which I'd rather not do.
Thanks!
Vance
Here's the link to the web pics. I hope the link works. If not let me know.
ReplyDeletehttps://picasaweb.google.com/vic.runyan/S3XSturmeyArcher#
You can see the the cog doesn't thread all the way on to the drive because the adapter where the sprocket tool is used occupies a small portion of the internal threads keeping it from being threaded further. I tried removing that adapter but it's nearly impossible. There must be freewheel cogs out there that don't have this.
Here's a bit of information about freewheels that I've come up with that gets discussed a bit more in the "Vic's Freewheel Problem" post:
ReplyDelete13,14,15 tooth freewheels are not compatible with this hub. Because of the difficulty fitting the smaller cog on the standard ISO freewheel, they build them on a smaller M30-1 threaded body. I don't know, but the M30 size may be found with 16-up cogs, too.
I was unable to find an example of a 15 tooth and below cog that was not the smaller M30 type. So, be certain your freewheel is the ISO type before you buy for use on the S3X hub.
Vance